Chapter 364: Public Opinion Ferments

Without much drama, the magical armor assessment entered the second day of its schedule.

Of course, saying there was no drama only meant the process went smoothly; in reality, the atmosphere on-site and the discussions afterward had already exploded into chaos—everyone was discussing: what exactly is Fang Ting?

If the first practical assessment, where the magical girl codenamed Senior Xiaojin took the lead, could be dismissed as coincidence, then by the second item, with the most outstanding performance still coming from a magical girl of "Fang Ting," it became impossible to ignore.

Even though this item has not truly ended and the final day still holds variables, this unprecedented "SS" grade is destined to be the glory of the magical girl codenamed Bai Mei. Anyone with eyes knows that even if another candidate could defeat her, what does it matter? The Kingdom's given rating isn't about the grade itself, but their willingness to create a separate rating tier! Such a level of attention, how could it be shaken by simple exam scores?

To speak realistically, when a magical girl's magical armor earns a rating of this level from the Kingdom's high command, her scores in other items no longer matter; even if she fails every other item, the Kingdom would not abandon such talented personnel. Lack of knowledge can be remedied by tutoring, lack of combat skill by training, but talent is something that cannot be gained through post-natal effort.

In summary, once everyone realized that this magical girl named Bai Mei was destined to become the focus of this assessment, "what exactly is going on with Fang Ting" became the core of the problem.

And conveniently, a rumor that had been widespread before could now serve as the answer to the question:

Fang Ting is the hermitage of Cuique, and also the station and burial place of the former strongest Flower Card, Sakura.

These two reasons alone were enough to cast a layer of legendary color over this previously obscure small city.

Who Cuique is requires no elaboration in the Magic Kingdom; as a legendary magical girl who broke the Kingdom's fastest promotion record and once became a "war hero" during the Garden Defense War, her achievements are beyond dispute. But what truly made people remember her, and even keep her in mind, was her unprecedented act of refusing the appointment as the Sapphire Scepter.

This was an act most Kingdom citizens dared not even imagine; in their view, only someone from the Material Realm with no concept of the Queen's authority could commit such an absurdity. Twenty years ago, when Cuique openly turned against the Wang Ting, most people felt her actions were unwise; some shook their heads in regret, lamenting that a magical girl who should have been great had her future cut short; others sneered, finding it entertaining to witness the fall of a young, hot-blooded "genius."

But the development of events was far from their expectations.

First was Cuique herself; no one expected this war hero, who had previously been at the height of her fame, to vanish instantly. After rejecting the Wang Ting's olive branch, she simply disappeared. No one knew where she went, so much so that for the following twenty years, even guessing Cuique's whereabouts became a field of study.

Second was the Wang Ting side, which showed an unusually silent response to the follow-up handling of Cuique. Logically, if the Wang Ting had indeed clashed directly with Cuique to save face, arresting, imprisoning, or exiling her, they would surely have made the fate of such a "rebel" public as a warning to others. But the reality was that after Cuique refused the Sapphire Scepter appointment and disappeared, the Wang Ting not only took no retaliatory action but even unilaterally bestowed upon Cuique and her teammate Sakura the honor of "Lifetime Magical Girl."

This was quite intriguing.

Adding to this, over the following twenty years, the Queen seemed to have no intention of appointing a new Sapphire Scepter; the Magic Affairs Bureau and Hemwen City still held power in the wrong hands; and Cuique's teammate Sakura operated widely in the Material Realm as the "strongest"... all these signs made people's imaginations run wild.

—Could it be that Cuique might return one day?

Many people concerned with the Kingdom's power circles harbored similar speculations.

The more this happened, the more people became taciturn about this topic, because if Cuique were to return, neither Cuique herself nor the Wang Ting and the Queen were figures they had the right to discuss. Furthermore, Sakura's influence grew louder and louder; although her low-profile conduct meant she had few friends and allies, her influence gradually began to radiate to other circles centered on the Investigation Bureau. No one was foolish enough to think there was no connection between Sakura and Cuique; no one said it outright, but everyone tacitly accepted her identity as part of the "Cuique faction."

Thus, this topic gradually shifted from after-dinner gossip to a political issue that could only be discussed in hushed tones. Even Sakura's death in recent years was speculated by many busybodies to be the result of political struggle. These people generally believed that the Emerald or Amethyst factions had conflicts with the gradually forming Cuique faction, and that Sakura died in a military clash between several factions...

Finally, this topic was completely ignited at the end of last year due to Cuique's appearance in Fang Ting.

This marked that claims such as "Cuique has retired," "Cuique has died," "Cuique is secretly imprisoned by the Kingdom," and "Cuique married into the Wang Ting" all became past tense and had been disproven. Meanwhile, the possibility of the claim "Cuique will return" grew increasingly likely.

With this, when the city of Fang Ting became linked to Cuique, whether it was Bai Mei, Senior Xiaojin, or those who had yet to show any results like Eriochium and Gentian, they would naturally be seen as "under Cuique's tutelage." Of course, more rigorous people tended to believe that among these magical girls from Fang Ting, there were also Sakura's juniors; since Sakura herself had already passed away and had long since solidified her identity as part of the Cuique faction during her lifetime, there was no need to distinguish too much.

Translating that further, it means "Cuique's students" have already secured first place in two items of the practical assessment in this assessment session.

This inevitably made people think too much.

Or rather, there was simply too much content in this that sparked endless speculation, enough to write several thick books on conspiracy theories.

For what reason did Cuique reappear? For what reason did the Wang Ting side remain silent? Did any of the other Gem Scepters play a role in this? And was Sakura's death truly the result of these power struggles?

The young magical girl candidates discussed the strength of the "Fang Ting Squad," this dark horse, while veteran magical girls and citizens were completely immersed in political topics. A simple two-item assessment result had already ignited a wave of discussion across the entire Rune Norre City.

— "So, which of these strange rumors did you actually make up?"

Early morning, before heading to the exam venue, the candidate "Gentian," or rather the person discussed as Cuique herself, was still in the office of the Magic Affairs Bureau branch, squinting as she asked her subordinate: "I can roughly understand your purpose in spreading various conspiracy theories years in advance, which is to pave the way for my return; but what about those concerning the Research Institute? Why promote the idea that the Emerald and I are political enemies?"

"Because the outside world generally believes the Investigation Bureau is our ally, and the persona of the Ruby of the People's Administration Bureau, my lord, disliking power is deeply ingrained."

Zhe Helan smiled and explained: "The point of a rumor is to align with what people believe to be the truth, not to contradict it."

"So this is your reason for spreading that I married into the Wang Ting and even became a mistress?" Senior Cuique lowered her eyelids.

"... It's about time; we must head to the exam venue, my lord." After a moment of silence, Zhe Helan turned away.

"Don't change the subject."

"We can discuss this on the way, my lord."

"I recall your schedule today; your route does not align with mine."

"Yes, so please allow me to take my leave first, and let my deputy discuss this matter with you."

"Come back here."

Thus, in the end, it was Zhe Helan herself who was properly scolded.